FOCUS & CREATE OFFICE SPACES

Fresh, clean, and modern design dictates this updated real estate office

• Victoria Horobin Oct 31, 2020
• • Share this article

This project is the creation of a new 20,000 square foot head office for a Canadian real estate firm, which chose to relocate to a new floor in an existing building that they own and manage. The mandate was to create a fresh, clean, and modern environment which reflects the company as a leader in the market, and guide the transition from private offices to an open concept environment for everyone.

Interior Designer: Victoria Horobin, ARIDO
Design Team: Sherry Bilenduke, ARIDO
Design Firm: KBH Interior Design Inc.
Project Photographer: Richard Johnson

The design team led the staff through a change management process, conducting meetings with small groups to establish goals and address fears. Following these meetings, the design team drafted a set of standards and concept materials to illustrate the new solution and presented them at a town hall for the entire organization.

A new set of workplace standards were created, which took all staff from private offices into a new open office environment. New workstations were much more open, but the overall footprint size of 6' x 7' matched their previous station size. Storage was minimized and ergonomic features and height-adjustable work surfaces added to the new stations.

This new design provides access to daylight for each employee, and many alternative meeting and work spaces, including meeting rooms, focus rooms, phone rooms and staff lounges.

A neutral palette of shades of grey was warmed up with walnut accents in workstation surfaces, a custom reception desk and panelled wall in the reception area, and an intricate wood screen that separates the coffee lounge from open work areas. Different carpet patterns add texture, warmth and acoustical properties to the space.

An updated HVAC system improves the air quality in the space, while employees have sit-stand options at their desks, and a central employee canteen encourages socializing and taking a proper lunch break.